Method of operating a communication system

ABSTRACT

A communication system that may be integrated or otherwise combined with a piece of furniture, such as a conference table, desk or credenza. The communication system may provide a combination of audio, video, telephony, presentation and/or other conferencing functions and may include a number of separate user modules, a control module, a display module and a network connection. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the separate user modules is a compact device that is integrated into the piece of furniture and includes a button that, when activated, allows a user to take control of certain aspects of the communication system. For example, a user may take over the display module or the information that is sent via the network connection by activating their user module.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending U.S. application Ser.No. 12/913,608 filed Oct. 27, 2010 and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/255,326 filed on Oct. 27, 2009, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a communication system and,more particularly, to a communication system that may provide acombination of audio, video, telephony, presentation and/or otherconferencing functions and may be integrated into a piece of furnituresuch as a conference table.

BACKGROUND

Various types of communication systems have been used fortele-conferencing and video-conferencing purposes. Although such systemsmay provide users with certain communication features, they do notprovide a communication system that is fully integrated into a piece offurniture, like a conference table or credenza.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, there is provided a method of operating acommunication system that can be integrated with a piece of furniture.The method may comprise the steps of: (a) receiving data from a firstportable computing device at a display module, a network connection orboth, wherein the data is received through a first user module; (b)receiving a status signal from a second user module indicating that thesecond user module has been activated by a user; and (c) in response tothe activation of the second user module, stopping receiving data fromthe first portable computing device at the display module, the networkconnection or both, and starting receiving data from a second portablecomputing device at the display module, the network connection or both,wherein the data is received from the second portable computing devicethrough the second user module.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of operating acommunication system that can be integrated with a piece of furniture.The method may comprise the steps of: (a) providing a communicationsystem having a plurality of user modules, a control module, and adisplay module, each of the user modules can be connected to a separateportable computing device as well as the control module and each of theuser modules has a button; (b) receiving a signal at the control modulefrom a first user module indicating that a user has engaged a button onthe first user module and, in response to receiving the signal, usingthe control module to display content on the display module from aportable computing device connected to the first user module; and (c)receiving another signal at the control module from a second user moduleindicating that a user has engaged a button on the second user moduleand, in response to receiving the another signal, using the controlmodule to display content on the display module from a portablecomputing device connected to the second user module, wherein users cancontrol the content displayed on the display module by engaging thebuttons on the plurality of user modules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein likedesignations denote like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a photograph of an exemplary embodiment of a communicationsystem that is integrated within a conference table;

FIG. 2 is a general schematic diagram of the communication systemillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a more detailed schematic diagram of the communication systemillustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary method that may be used with thecommunication system illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary communicationsystem 10 that includes a number of hardware components integrated witha conference table, although they could be integrated in any number ofother pieces of furniture instead. The exemplary system and methoddescribed below can provide a variety of functions including audio,video, telephony, presentation and/or other conferencing functions andfeatures. According to one exemplary embodiment, communication system 10reduces the complexity of the system by using a single standard mediacable for certain connections, and includes a control module 12, usermodules 14-20, a display module 22, and a remote control 24, and isincorporated in a piece of furniture 26. Each of these components isdescribed below in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3.

Control module 12 generally acts as an information hub for communicationsystem 10 and exchanges information with the other hardware componentsin the system. Control module 12 may be mounted inside table 26,underneath the tabletop surface (as illustrated in FIG. 2), on top ofthe tabletop surface, or elsewhere. These are only some of the potentialmounting locations and configurations, as the control module 12 may bemounted in a base, pedestal, cabinet, drawer, or other part of furniture26 underneath the tabletop surface, to cite a few examples. Controlmodule 12 may include any combination of electronic processing devices,memory devices, input/output (I/O) devices, and other hardwarecomponents, and may perform various control and communication relatedfunctions. In an exemplary embodiment, control module 12 includesseveral wire interfaces 310, audio processor 312, converters 314, 320,and 330, video processor 316, switch controller 318, controller 324, andnetwork processor 322. In this exemplary embodiment, the wire interfaces310 are designed to accommodate and connect cables having RJ-45 typejacks. However, this is only one possibility, as they could accommodateany other type of suitable cable or connection, including coaxial, fiberoptic, twisted, ribbon, serial, parallel, etc.

Audio processor 312 processes audio signals from a variety of potentialsources—including those that are internal and external to communicationsystem 10—and routes the processed audio signals to appropriatedestinations. According to one exemplary embodiment, audio processor 312is a digital telephone hybrid processor that receives audio signals froma microphone 380 mounted in table 26, a network connection 390 and/or acommunication accessory 302 (e.g., a DVD player), and sends processedaudio signals to speakers 340-370 and/or to an outside network vianetwork connection 390. Of course, the preceding examples are only someof the possibilities as audio processor 312 may receive audio signalsfrom any suitable source and may send processed audio signals to anysuitable destination. For example, during a conference call audiosignals are received from an outside network via network connection 390.The audio signals are provided to video processor 316 which, under thedirection of controller 324, sends the audio content to audio processor312 for processing. The processed audio signals are then provided tospeakers 340, 350, 360, 370 which are located in user modules 14, 16,18, 20, respectively. Skilled artisans will appreciate that audioprocessor 312 may directly receive audio signals from an audio source(such as the case with microphone 380) or they may indirectly receiveaudio signals through other components (such as the case with an outsidecaller, where audio signals are sent through network processor 322 andvideo processor 316 before they reach audio processor 312). The same istrue for sending or outputting audio signals from the audio processor312. Other arrangements and architectures are possible, as the exemplaryarrangement of audio processor 312 is only one possibility.

Some potential features of audio processor 312 include: impedancematching, gain control, filtering, acoustic feedback reduction, andothers that improve the audio quality of the system. Impedance matching(e.g., adaptive filtering) can minimize or eliminate echoes in thetransmission path, which can exist in satellite, mobile phone, and VoIPconnections, for example. Even though VoIP, ISDN and other similartechnologies may not theoretically need a digital telephone hybridprocessor, such as the exemplary one shown in FIG. 3, communicationlinks that have VoIP or ISDN on one end may terminate in an analog lineat the other end. Hence, there could be a significant source of echo,crosstalk, etc. which can be eliminated or minimized by audio processor312. The preceding features are optional and may only be included onhigher end models, as it is not necessary for the audio processor 312 tohave all of these features.

Converters 314, 320, and 330 convert data from one form to another to becompatible with the various hardware components in communication system10. In one example, converter 314 is a digital Cat-5 transcoder thatreceives a combination of audio/video signals from communicationaccessories 302 (e.g., a DVD player) through a Cat-5 connector, convertsor adapts the audio/video signals for transmission over a different typeof connection (e.g., HDMI), and then transmits the converted audio/videosignals accordingly. Converter 314 may send the converted audio/videosignals to a number of destinations, including switch controller 318.Converter 320 also converts data from one form to another and, accordingto one example, receives video or audio/video signals from videoprocessor 316, converts these signals from HDMI to Cat-5, and thentransmits the converted information to display module 22 over a Cat-5connection having an RJ45 jack. The information may have to be convertedback to an HDMI or similar format for subsequent provision to displaymodule 22; converter 330 can perform this re-conversion. Stateddifferently, converter 320 may be an HDMI to Cat-5 converter andconverter 330 may be a Cat-5 to HDMI converter. This is only oneembodiment as other converter types may be used instead.

Video processor 316 processes audio, video and/or data signals from avariety of potential sources—including those that are internal andexternal to communication system 10—and routes the processed signals toappropriate destinations. According to one exemplary embodiment, videoprocessor 316 is a video conference codec that receives audio, videoand/or data signals from a camera 304, audio processor 312, switchcontroller 318 and/or network connection 390, and sends the processedsignals to display module 22 via converters 320 and 330, audio processor312 and/or an outside network via network connection 390. Of course, thepreceding examples are only some of the possibilities as video processor316 may receive signals from any suitable source and may send processedsignals to any suitable destination. Video processor 316 may generallybe used in both a receiving and a transmitting capacity.

For example, during a video-conference call where a combination ofaudio/video signals are received by control module 12 from an outsidenetwork via network connection 390 (receiving capacity), the combinedaudio/video signals are provided to video processor 316 which extractsthe audio content and sends it to audio processor 312 and extracts thevideo content and sends it to converter 320 so that it may be presentedon display module 22. Conversely, it is also possible for videoprocessor to combine audio and video signals for suitable transmissionover network connection 390 (transmitting capacity). In one example,video processor 316 combines audio signals gathered by microphone 380and sent through audio processor 312 with video signals gathered bycamera 304. The combined audio/video signals may be packaged andformatted according to one of a number of different techniques, and sentfrom video processor 316 for transmission over network connection 390.Depending on the particular embodiment, video processor 316 may includea device or a program that provides video codec, compress-decompress,code-decode, encryption-decryption, as well as other features andfunctions. It should be appreciated that video processor 316 is notlimited to this exemplary embodiment, and may be include any number ofdifferent features, functions, characteristics, etc. not disclosed here.

Switch controller 318 receives audio, video and/or data signals from oneor more user modules 14-20 and/or communication accessories 302 and,based on a user selection and arbitration method described below,provides the selected signals to an appropriate destination. Forexample, consider the case where separate laptop computers are connectedto user modules 14-20 and are vying for control of the display module22; that is, each of the connected computers is outputting data signalsthrough data connections 342, 352, 362, 372 for presentation on displaymodule 22. The display module 22 may not simultaneously display theinformation from all four computers/user modules. Thus, the users ofmodules 14, 16, 18, 20 can take control of the display module 22 byrespectively engaging buttons 344, 354, 364, 374, which causes switchcontroller 318 to pass the data signals from the selected user module onto the display module. This process and feature is described below inmore detail. Depending on the particular embodiment, switch controller318 may be a hub, router, switch, bridge, multiplexor, or any otherdevice where one or more input signals are received but a single inputsignal is selected according to a command signal. It is also possiblefor communication accessories 302, like a DVD player, to provide switchcontroller 318 with another input for selection.

Controller 324 communicates with most of the hardware devices of controlmodule 12 and, according to one embodiment, controls aspects of theiroperation through a series of command signals. Controller 324 mayinclude any combination of software and/or hardware components includingelectronic processing devices, memory devices, input/output (I/O)devices, etc. and may perform various control and/or communicationrelated functions. In an exemplary embodiment, controller 324 receivesinformation from and/or sends command signals to user modules 14-20 viawire interfaces 310, audio processor 312, video processor 316,converters 314 and 320, switch controller 318 and network processor 322in order to control and direct the operation of communication system 10.Consider the example where separate laptop computers are connected toeach of the user modules 14-20 (each user module has one or more dataports), but an operator has engaged button 344 on user module 14 becausethey wish to take control of display module 22. To explain, a user mayengage or push a button 344, 354, 364, 374 on their user module in orderto take control of display module 22 (e.g., display module 22 could showwhatever is currently being displayed on the screen of the laptopcomputer connected to the selected user module). In the example above,controller 324 reviews the status of buttons 344, 354, 364, 374,determines that user module 14 has been selected, and sends commandsignals to switch controller 318, video processor 316 and/or converter320 instructing them to pass the data signals from the selected usermodule 14 to display module 22. It is possible for controller 324 toreview the status of each user module 14-20 or only those user modulesthat have a laptop computer or other device connected thereto, to cite afew possibilities. Controller 324 is not limited to this example, as itmay gather information, make decisions, and issue command signals for avariety of other tasks as well.

Network processor 322 generally acts as an interface between controlmodule 12 and an outside network. In an exemplary embodiment, networkprocessor 322 is an Ethernet switch which connects communication system10 to an outside network, such as an IP network like the Internet or apublic switched telephone network (PSTN). It should be appreciated byskilled artisans that network processor 322 can include any combinationof hardware components and may provide a variety of functionality,including acting as a hub, switch, router, bridge, repeater and/or anyother suitable device. Furthermore, even though FIG. 3 shows anexemplary embodiment of a wired network processor 322, that device maybe a wired or wireless component. Skilled artisans will recognize thatwhile FIGS. 2 and 3 show the various wired connections with a singleline (dashed or solid), this is only provided for purposes ofillustration and that the connections may be of any suitable type knownin the art.

Each of the preceding devices, components, modules, etc. may be providedin a number of different forms. For instance, each of the individualcomponents of control module 12 may be provided in the form of anintegrated circuit (IC), an application specific integrated circuit(ASICs), or some other type of circuit or hardware device, and may beconnected to one another via a printed circuit board (PCB) or othersuitable means. If two or more components of control module 12 are“connected” together, it is not necessary that they be directlyconnected or coupled together, as they could be indirectly connectedtogether through one or more intervening components or devices. Controlmodule 12 may come with a protective housing or cover that maintains allof the components in a single protected environment, protects them fromoutside contaminants or electromagnetic interference (EMI), and can beeasily mounted or attached to a piece of furniture 26 like a conferencetable.

User modules 14-20 provide a user the ability to interface withcommunication system 10 and, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, may beintegrated into conference table 26 or some other piece of furniture. Asmentioned above, communication system 10 may provide the user with anopportunity to connect a device (e.g., laptop computer, netbook, PDA,mobile phone, etc.) to one or more of the user modules 14-20. Inaddition, the user modules 14-20 may provide the user with anopportunity to visually and/or verbally communicate with a remote personvia a speaker, a microphone, a webcam, etc. Even though FIGS. 1 and 2only show four user modules, communication system 10 may provide feweror more user modules than this. For instance, a small version ofcommunication system 10 may provide only one or two user modules while alarger version of the communication system may provide four to ten usermodules.

Furthermore, user modules 14-20 may utilize local and/or global systemcomponents. For instance, the user modules 14-20 may have individualinput and/or output accessories (e.g., one speaker per user module, onemicrophone per user module, one camera per user module, etc.). Inanother embodiment, communication system 10 may provide globalaccessories, for example, one camera 304 for the entire communicationsystem. These are only a few examples as others will become evident to aperson skilled in the art. User modules 14-20 may include anycombination of hardware and/or software components needed for connectinga user to communication system 10 for audio, video and/or datacommunication. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, user modules14-20 respectively include speakers 340-370, data connections 342-372,data ports (not shown), buttons 344-374, and indicators 346-376.

Speakers 340, 350, 360, 370 are mounted in user modules 14, 16, 18, 20,respectively, and convert audio signals into sound so that the users mayhear audio output from communications system 10. Speakers 340-370,sometimes called loudspeakers, may include a combination of acoustictransducers (e.g., drivers) and an enclosure housing one or moretransducers. Speakers 340-370 may include any suitable speaker includinga subwoofer, woofer, mid-range, tweeter, supertweeter, etc. or acombination speaker (e.g., n-way speaker). In addition, speakers 340-370can be piezoelectric, magnetic, electrostatic, ribbon, bending wave,distributed mode, Heil air motion, plasma arc, digital, or any othersuitable type of speaker. Audio signals from a telephone conferencecall, a video conference call, a DVD player, a computer presentation, orany other suitable source may be converted to sound and transmitted tothe users via speakers 340-370.

Data connections 342, 352, 362, 372 enable user modules 14, 16, 18, 20,respectively, to exchange data signals and otherwise communicate withcommunication system 10. The data connections 342-372 may include anycombination of power connections, computer display connections, networkconnections, etc. These connections can include any combination ofwireless and/or wired connections including RJ-45, USB, AC plug, BNC,TNC, VGA, RCA, etc. In one embodiment, each user module includes a dataport (not shown) and an electrical outlet which enable a user to connecttheir laptop computer or other device to communications system 10 viathe user module. Power can be provided to the laptop computer, whiledata is exchanged between the laptop computer and the use module via thedata port. This and other information may then be exchanged between theuser module and the communication system 10 via data connections342-372. In some instances, the user module may simply pass the datafrom the laptop computer to the communication system without processingit, in other instances the user module may perform some type of signalprocessing on the information so that it is more suitable fortransmission to the communication system. These are only some of theembodiments as others are possible. For example, the data port betweenthe laptop computer and the user module and/or the data connectionbetween the user module and the communication system may be a wirelessport.

Buttons 344, 354, 364, 374 provide a user with the ability to take overcertain aspects of communication system 10 by giving the correspondinguser module control over devices like the display module 22, etc. Toillustrate, if a user presses or otherwise engages button 344 on usermodule 14, then communications system 10 (more specifically, controller324 and switch controller 318) gives control of display module 22 touser module 14. Thus, if the user has a laptop computer plugged into adata port on user module 14, the video and/or data signals from thatcomputer are sent to display module 22 so that all meeting attendees cansee what is on that particular computer. Likewise, audio, video and/ordata signals may be sent to an outside network via network connection390, so that remote meeting attendees may follow along as well. If,following the activation of button 344, a different user were to pressbutton 354 on user module 16 then control would pass to that user moduleinstead.

Different button engagement combinations could be used for differenttasks. For example, pushing a button 344, 354, 364, 374 on a user modulewhen communication system 10 is ‘off’, could turn the system ‘on’;pushing and holding a button on a user module when communication system10 is already ‘on’, could disable a specific user module and/or theentire communication system by turning it ‘off’; pushing a button twicecould give that user module certain privileges but not all privileges,and so on. Buttons 344-374 may be contact or contactless buttons,switches, a touch screen, or any actuator that provides a change ofstate. The button can be activated with momentary, time delay, toggle,or any other action. In addition, the list of potential buttons that canbe used includes toggle switch, pushbutton, touch switch, sense switch,biometric switch, fingerprint switch, etc., as this feature is notlimited to any specific electro-mechanical device and is meant tobroadly encompass any type of button, switch or other user-activatedcontrol that allows the user to activate one of the user modules.

Indicators 346, 356, 366, 376 are mounted on user modules 14, 16, 18,20, respectively, and indicate the status or state of buttons 344-374.Indicators 346-376 can be part of or integrated into buttons 344-374(e.g., illuminated buttons) or they can be separate indicators (e.g.,LED, lamp, etc.) housed in user modules 14-20. Indicators 346-376 caninclude audio (e.g., beep sound), visual (e.g., LED), or any combinationof indicators. In one embodiment, indicators 346-376 indicate or signalwhich user module currently has control of communications system 10 andis providing information to display module 22, etc.

Display module 22 acts as a visual and/or audio output for communicationsystem 10, and may be provided according to one of a number of differentembodiments. Display module 22 can be a single standalone device, suchas that shown in FIG. 1, or it may be integrated within user modules14-20. According to an exemplary embodiment, display module 22 is atelevision, projector and/or monitor, but it may be any other suitabledisplay device instead.

Remote control 24 can remotely operate a variety of functions of thecommunications system 10, including system setup, audio, video,telephony, presentation, and conferencing functions. It includes severalbuttons which provide menu and option navigation. In an exemplaryembodiment, remote control 24 comprises power, menu, up, down, left,right, enter, mute, home, volume up, volume down, yellow, green, red,and blue buttons, which can be used for easy navigation of the variousmenus used by the graphical user interface (GUI).

Conference table 26 is a piece of furniture that is designed toaccommodate one or more components or pieces of communications system10. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of table 26 where the controlmodule 12 is mounted underneath the top surface of the table (e.g., withaccess through an access panel), and user modules 14-20 are mountedwithin the top surface such that an operator has access to them.However, table 26 can take a different shape or form (e.g., round, oval,modular, rectangular, square, corner, etc.) and it may include differentcomponents for accommodating parts of communication system 10 (e.g.,pedestal, multiple legs, suspension cables, brackets, etc.). Even thoughtable 26 is referred to as a conference table, skilled artisans willappreciate that it can be a variety of different furniture articlesincluding an executive desk, a sideboard, a credenza, etc.

Continuing with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, there is alsoshown a microphone 380, communication accessories 302, and a camera 304.Microphone 380 can be any transducer or sensor that converts sound intoan electrical audio signal that is fed to communication system 10. Itcan be housed in user modules 14-20 or it can include one or moreseparate entities mounted at different locations around a communicationarea (e.g., conference room, meeting room) or stands on a horizontalsurface (e.g., table, desk, etc.). Microphone 380 can be any of a listof microphones including condenser, capacitor, electrostatic, dynamic,carbon, piezoelectric, fiber optic, laser, MEMS, or any othermicrophone. Accessories 302 can include any accessories used in anaudio/video communication setting. In one embodiment, accessories 302include a DVD player and a computer which provide the communicationsystem 10 with audio, video and/or data signals. Other accessoriesinclude headphones, laptop docking stations, wireless signal boosters,antennas, etc. Accessories 302 can be part of user modules 14-20instead. Camera 304 is a video capturing device that feeds video signalsto communication system 10. It can be a wired or wireless devicetransmitting via an Ethernet or Wi-Fi network. Camera 304 may be part ofuser modules 14-20, integrated with microphone 380, or a central unit ina communication setting to list but a few examples. In an exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 3, camera 304 is a high-definition (HD) videoconferencing PTZ camera.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is shown an exemplary method 400 that maybe used to operate or control communication system 10. Assuming that thecommunication system 10 starts out being turned ‘off’, the method beginsat step 402 when a user pushes a button 344, 354, 364, 374 on one of theuser modules. This action may initiate any combination of differentevents. In one embodiment, when a user pushes a button 344-374, acorresponding indicator 346-376 turns ‘on’ and a request signal is sentfrom that user module to controller 324 to begin system setup. Ifanother button 344-374 is subsequently pushed, the new user module willbe selected and given control. Of course, any number of other techniquesmay be used to turn the communication system 10 on.

Step 404 checks the status of the initiating user module; that is, theuser module that includes the button that turned the communicationsystem on. Once the initiating user module is identified, communicationsystem 10 queries or otherwise checks to see which, if any, externaldevices are connected to that user module. In one embodiment, controller324 receives status signals via data connections 342, 352, 362, 372 andswitch controller 318 or it receives them directly from the user modulein question, and uses these status signals to detect the presence of anyexternally connected devices like a laptop computer. External devicesmay be connected to a user module via a USB, RJ, VGA and/or otherconnection, and more than one external device may be connected to asingle user module. Controller 324 may have a priority hierarchy that itfollows when multiple external devices are connected to a single usermodule. For example, if a laptop computer is connected to a USB port onuser module 14 and a PDA is connected to a different serial port on thesame user module, then controller may process the signals from the USBport first. This would be a priority hierarchy based on the differentports or port-based priority, where one port has priority over another;other non-port-based priority arrangements are also possible. If thesignals from the USB port are dropped (e.g., the laptop computer isturned ‘off’ or disconnected) then maybe the PDA connected to the serialport could be the next priority. This is, of course, only one exemplaryembodiment as others can be used instead.

Step 406 determines if the display module 22 is ‘on’. In an exemplaryembodiment, controller 324 receives a status signal from display module22 via converter 320 and/or video processor 316 and, if the displaymodule is ‘off’, sends a command signal to turn the display module 22‘on’ (step 408). Similarly, steps 410 and 412 determine if the speakers340, 350, 360, 370 or other audio devices are ‘on’ and, if they are‘off’, step 412 generates a command signal for turning them ‘on’. In oneembodiment, controller 324 receives one or more status signals fromspeakers 340-370 via audio processor 312 or directly from the usermodules, and then makes a status decision based on the status signals.

Step 414 initializes, configures, activates or otherwise prepares thecontrol module 12 to receive and process audio, video and/or datasignals from video processor 316. As appreciated by those skilled in theart, video processor 316 may need to perform some handshaking or otherstart-up procedures before processing information; in this regard, thevideo processor may need to communicate with one or more of the otherhardware components of the control module 12, including controller 324.Similarly, step 416 initializes, configures, activates or otherwiseprepares the control module 12 to receive and process audio, videoand/or data signals from audio processor 312.

Next, a user selects one or more communication options, step 418. Aspreviously explained, communication system 10 provides a variety ofdifferent options for communicating, including external communicationwith one or more outside parties (e.g., telephone conferencing, videoconferencing, web conferencing, etc.), internal communication with thedifferent persons seated around the conference table 26 (e.g.,conference room only, the sharing of presentations, etc.), secure andnon-secure communications, and so on. In an exemplary embodiment, step418 allows a user to select one or more communication options via remotecontrol 24, where the options are displayed in menus presented ondisplay module 22. If a user selects an internal communication option,for example, then outside lines via network connection 390 could bedisabled. If a user does not select a video conferencing option, forinstance, then camera 304 may be disabled as it is not needed for thisparticular meeting. Any initialization or set up steps needed toimplement the user's selections may be performed at this time. Again,any combination of options and settings could be selected by the userand implemented by communication system 10.

Once the preceding steps are performed, a communication session usingcommunication system 10 can proceed, step 422. Any number of the audio,video and/or data communication options described above may be utilizedduring a communication session, depending on how it is set up, theconstituency of the users, etc. In one embodiment, phone numbers, webaddresses and other contact information are stored in control module 12so that a speed dial or memory dial feature may be used to call acertain person. Audio processor 312 or some other device within controlmodule 12 may be equipped with voice-recognition software such that itcan operate the communication system 10 according to spoken commandsgiven by the users. A communication session can be processed via networkprocessor 322 or via a phone line. If at any point during thecommunication session, a user engages a button on a different usermodule—that is, a different user module than the one that currently hascontrol—then, controller 324 makes the necessary changes in the setup togive the newly selected user module control of the display module 22,the network processor 322, the speakers 340-370, etc. In some instances,it is even possible for more than one user module have control at thesame time. A first user module may have control of the display module22, while another user module is providing information to an externalparticipant via network connection 390, for example.

In one embodiment, communication system 10 combines data from a firstportable computing device—like a laptop or notebook computer or a smartphone—with data from video camera 304, and provides the combined data todisplay module 22 and/or network connection 390. Display module 22 maybe presented with the combined data in a ‘split-screen’ type of fashionwhere the same content that is currently on the portable computingdevice is shown on one half of the screen and the video content is shownon the other half of the screen. The same combined data may also beprovided to network connection 390 so that a remote user can receive andview the same split-screen display. In the case of display module 22and/or network connection 390, audio content can also be provided frommicrophone 380. If a separate user module breaks in or is otherwiseactivated while this split-screen display is being presented, then thescreen half that is displaying the data from the first portablecomputing device (i.e., the non-video screen half) can switch orotherwise transition to the second portable computing device that isconnected to the second user module. The screen half that is displayingthe video data may remain unchanged; this is particular true if a singleshared video camera 304 is used by communication system 10.

The communication session may carry on until one or more of theparticipants decide to terminate the session. Step 424 inquires if thesystem should be turned ‘off’. One way for a user to deactivate or turn‘off’ the system is to push and hold one of the buttons 344-374. Thebutton can be held for a fixed time (e.g., five seconds) or for anadjustable amount of time that is established through a configurationmenu during setting up, for example. Engagement of a button 344-374 toturn ‘off’ communication system 10 could trigger one or more events instep 428.

In step 428, one or more functions or devices are shutdown or put into astandby state. In one embodiment of step 428, a shutdown command signalis generated by controller 324 and is sent to one or more of the otherhardware devices of communication system 10, such as accessories 302,display module 22, audio processor 312, video processor 314, switchcontroller 318, network processor 322, camera 304 and/or microphone 380.It should be appreciated that the preceding descriptions ofcommunication system 10 and method 400 are merely exemplary and that thepresent invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Forinstance, the exact combination, sequence and/or order of the exemplarysteps in method 400 is only one possibility, as many others are possibleas well.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is not adefinition of the invention, but is a description of one or morepreferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is notlimited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather isdefined solely by the claims. Furthermore, the statements contained inthe foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are notto be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on thedefinition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase isexpressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changesand modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent tothose skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, andmodifications are intended to come within the scope of the claims.

As used in this specification and claims, the terms “for example,”“e.g.,” “for instance,” “like” and “such as,” and the verbs“comprising,” “having,” “including,” and their other verb forms, whenused in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or otheritems, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that that thelisting is not to be considered as excluding other, additionalcomponents or items. Other terms are to be construed using theirbroadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context thatrequires a different interpretation.

1. A method of operating a communication system that can be integratedwith a piece of furniture, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving datafrom a first portable computing device at a display module, a networkconnection or both, wherein the data is received through a first usermodule; (b) receiving a status signal from a second user moduleindicating that the second user module has been activated by a user; and(c) in response to the activation of the second user module, stoppingreceiving data from the first portable computing device at the displaymodule, the network connection or both, and starting receiving data froma second portable computing device at the display module, the networkconnection or both, wherein the data is received from the secondportable computing device through the second user module.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises receiving data from thefirst portable computing device at the display module so that thedisplay module displays the same content as is currently displayed onthe first portable computing device, and step (c) further comprisesstopping receiving data from the first portable computing device at thedisplay module, and starting receiving data from the second portablecomputing device at the display module so that the display moduledisplays the same content as is currently displayed on the secondportable computing device.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a)further comprises receiving data from the first portable computingdevice at the network connection so that a remote user will see the samecontent as is currently displayed on the first portable computingdevice, and step (c) further comprises stopping receiving data from thefirst portable computing device at the network connection, and startingreceiving data from the second portable computing device at the networkconnection so that the remote user will see the same content as iscurrently displayed on the second portable computing device.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises receiving datafrom the first portable computing device and a video camera at thedisplay module so that the display module simultaneously shows the samecontent as is currently displayed on the first portable computing deviceand the video content in a split-screen fashion.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein step (a) further comprises receiving data from a firstportable computing device and a video camera at the network connectionso that a remote user can simultaneously see the same content as iscurrently on the first portable computing device and the video contentin a split-screen fashion.
 6. A method of operating a communicationsystem that can be integrated with a piece of furniture, comprising thesteps of: (a) providing a communication system having a plurality ofuser modules, a control module, and a display module, each of the usermodules can be connected to a separate portable computing device as wellas the control module and each of the user modules has a button; (b)receiving a signal at the control module from a first user moduleindicating that a user has engaged a button on the first user moduleand, in response to receiving the signal, using the control module todisplay content on the display module from a portable computing deviceconnected to the first user module; and (c) receiving another signal atthe control module from a second user module indicating that a user hasengaged a button on the second user module and, in response to receivingthe another signal, using the control module to display content on thedisplay module from a portable computing device connected to the seconduser module, wherein users can control the content displayed on thedisplay module by engaging the buttons on the plurality of user modules.7. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one of step (b) or step (c)further comprises receiving a signal at the control module from a usermodule indicating a certain button engagement combination, and differentbutton engagement combinations involving the user module button resultin different actions by the communication system.
 8. The method of claim7, wherein a button engagement combination including a push and hold ofone of the user module buttons causes the communication system to poweroff
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one of step (b) or step(c) further comprises activating an indicator on a user module when auser has engaged a button on the same user module, and the activatedindicator visually identifies which user module currently has control ofthe content on the display module.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein atleast one of step (b) or step (c) further comprises detecting aplurality of portable computing devices connected to a single usermodule when a user has engaged a button on the same user module, andusing a priority hierarchy to determine which portable computing devicewill provide content to the display module.
 11. The method of claim 6,further comprising the step of: receiving a communication optionselection from a user that causes the content displayed on the displaymodule to also be provided to a network connection for externalcommunication with one or more outside parties.
 12. The method of claim6, further comprising the step of: receiving a communication optionselection from a user that causes content from the first user module tobe displayed on the display module and content from the second usermodule to be provided to the network connection for externalcommunication with one or more outside parties.
 13. The method of claim6, further comprising the step of: receiving a communication optionselection from a user that causes the display module to simultaneouslyshow content from a portable computing device connected to a user moduleand content from a video camera in a split-screen fashion.
 14. Themethod of claim 6, further comprising the step of: receiving acommunication option selection from a user that causes the displaymodule to simultaneously show content from a portable computing deviceconnected to a first user module and content from another portablecomputing device connected to a second user module in a split-screenfashion.
 15. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of:receiving video or data signals from one or more outside parties via anetwork connection and using the control module to provide the video ordata signals to the display module so that local users at thecommunication system can view corresponding video or data content. 16.The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of: receiving audiosignals from one or more outside parties via a network connection andusing the control module to provide the audio signals to a speaker sothat local users at the communication system can hear correspondingaudio content.
 17. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of usermodules and the control module are integrated into a conference table.18. The method of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of user modulesincludes a data port for connection to a portable computing device, anelectrical outlet, a data connection for connection to the controlmodule, and at least one of a speaker, a microphone or a cameraintegrated within the user module.
 19. The method of claim 6, whereinthe communications system provides telephone conferencing, videoconferencing and web conferencing functions to local users as well asremote users.